The Ottawa free trader., 1887-10-08


hereyn
Blossom senior was staggered FOR n
moment Because, you know, the
COUNT
"And YOU were afraid the count should
know had sweetheart Well, I'll go
in and tell him now,n she said, marching
toward the door,
Then, why did you not tell him when
you slipped out an hour ago-ch, LASS"
quericd the old man, grasping her hand.
but It's all one, Thankful; twas not for
him | stopped you. There is n young
spark with him--ay, even rs you left,
lass-a likely young gallant; and he and
the count are jabbering away in their own
lingo, a kind Of Italian, belike; ell, Thank
full"
81 know not" she said thoughtfully.
(Which way came the other" In fact, II
fear that this young stranger had wit
messed the captains embrace began to
creep over her.
"From town, my lass"
Thankful turned to her father as if she
had been waiting reply to long asked
question: "WellE'
"Were it not web to put on n few fur
bellows and q tucker?" queried the old
man. "'Tis gallant young spark; none
of your country folk"
NO." said Thankful, with the prompt
ness Of woman who was looking her
best and knew it. And the old man, look
, ing ut her, accepted her judgment, and
without another word led her to the parlor
door, and, opening it, said briefly, MY
daughter, Mistress Thankful Blossom"
With the opening of the door came the
sound of earnest voices that instantly
ceased upon the appearance of Mistress
! Thankful. Two gentlemen lolling before
the fire arose instantly, and one came for
| ward with an air Of familiar yet respect
full recognition.
, 'Nay, this is far too great happiness,
| Mistress Thankful" he said, with a
strongly marked foreign accent and still
: more strongly marked foreign manner
, II have been in despair and my frieno
: here, the Baron ?omposo, likewise
: The slightest trace of a smile, and the
|
dark face of the baron rs he bowed low in
the introduction. Thankful dropped the
courtesy Of the period, i. c., duck, with
semicircular sweep of the right foot for
ward But the right foot was so pretty,
and the grace of the little figure so perfect,
that the baron raised his eyes from the
foot to the face in serious admiration. In
the one rapid feminine glance she had
piyen him, she had seen that he was
[ handsome; in the second, which she could
not help from his protracted silence, she
saw that his beauty centered in his girl
ish, half fawn like, dark eyes.
"The baron" explained Mr.. Blossom,
rubbing his hands together as If through
mere friction he was trying to impart 4
; warmth to the reception which his hard
face discountenanced-'th baron visits
us under discouragement. He comes
from far countries. 1t is the custom ol
pentlefolk of-of foreign extraction tt
wander through strange lands, comment
ing upon the habits and doings of the
peoples. He will find in jersey" con
tinued Mr.. Blossom, apparently appealing
to Thankful, yet really evading her con
temptuous glance, "a hard working yeo
manry, ever ready to welcome TIE stran
, ger, and account to him, penny for penny
; for all his necessary expenditure; fol
which purpose, in these troublous times
) he will provide for himself gold or otheI
moneys not affected by these local dis
, turbances."
"He will find, good friend Blossom,
said the baron with the soft, quiet gravit.
of his eyes, Beauty, Grace, Accomplish
ment, and-eh-Santa Maria, what shal
l say?'' He turned appealingly to tn
count.
"Virtue," nodded the count.
"Truly, Birtoo! all in the fair lady o
thees countries. All, believe me, homes
friend Blossom, there is mooch more i
thees than in thoss!'
So much of this speech was addresse
to Mistress Thankful that she had
show at least one dimple in reply, albei
her brows were slightly knit, and she ha
turned upon the speaker her honest, ques
tioning eyes.
"And then the Gen. Washington ha
been kind enough to offer his protection,
added the count.
"Any fool-any one," supplemente
Thankful hastily, with a slight blush
"may have the generals pass, ay, and h
good word. But what of Mistress Prl
dence Bookstaver-she that has swee
heart in Knyphausen's brigade, ay-
warrant Hessian, but of gentle blood, {
Mistress Prudence has often told me-
and, look you, all her letters stopped /
the general, ay, warrant, read by m
Il Lady Washington, too, as If 'twere III
e fault that her lad was in arms again
!, congress. Riddle me that, nowV'
"'Tis but prudence lass" said Bio
3, som, frowning on the girl. "Tis thi
she might disclose some movement OF II
army, tending to defeat the enemy"
"And why should she not try to sa'
$ her lad from capture or ambuscade SUE
IL as befell the Hessian commissary with Il
S provisions that you'--
l. Mr.. Blossom, in an ostensible father
l. | emhrnce managed to pinch MiStre